Galatians 2:20-21 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me… I. THE PERSONALITY OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION. This verse swarms with I and me. Christianity brings out a man's individuality, not making him selfish, but making him realize his own separate existence, and compelling him to meditate on his own sin, his own salvation, his own personal doom unless saved by grace. 1. In proportion as our piety is definitely in the first person singular, it will be strong and vigorous. 2. In proportion as we fully realize our personal responsibility to God shall we be likely to discharge it. — II. THE INTER-WEAVING OF OUR OWN PROPER PERSONALITY WITH THAT OF JESUS CHRIST. I think I see two trees before me. They are distinct plants growing side by side, but as I follow them downward, I observe that the roots are so interlaced and intertwisted that no one can trace the separate trees and allot the members of each to its proper whole. Such are Christ and the believer. 1. Dead to the world with Christ. 2. Alive to God in Christ. 3. The link between Christ and the believer — faith. 4. A union of love. 5. A union by sacrifice. III. THE LIFE WHICH RESULTS FROM THIS BLENDED PERSONALITY. 1. A new life. 2. A very strange life. 3. A true life. 4. A life of self-abnegation. 5. A life of one idea. 6. The life of a man. 7. The life of heaven. (C. H. Spurgeon.) Parallel Verses KJV: I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. |
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